Penelope

I loved it here. It was peaceful and warm inside. Everyone was polite and welcoming. I never felt rushed to leave. I know people get breakfast and brunch so I got something else entirely and it was delicious. I loved the décor and the size…it’s a touch bohemian. I was visiting from out of town so the restaurant is in easy walking distance from many hotels in the Chelsea/Manhattan area, if you’re looking for a wonderful place to dine. I also had a lemonade and a peach Bellini. The Bellini was out of this world. Not only was it delicious, it was pretty to look at. The pricing is very reasonable considering the generous portions you receive. My experience here was lovely.

The food here is beautiful, the atmosphere was very cozy, and the waitress was super helpful. We enjoyed our breakfast this morning. The french toast was exquisite, beautiful combination of the tender bread loaf with the sweet maple syrup compliment by delicate fruit. The scrambled eggs in croissant was lovely too!

Came here for Saturday brunch. Seats were a little crammed, but the food was great! Biscuits were amazing—served warm and moist. Cocktails were on point. Blueberry pancakes and the croque madame were average. Penny Egg Sammy on croissant was good, but the scrambled eggs inside were bland.

Had to make it to Penelope’s on our engagement replay weekend! Visited for brunch 7 years ago the day after we were engaged and had and wanted to relive that experience. Start to finish it was just as wonderful. I went with the crab cake Benedict special of the day which was served in a croissant while Josh packed an omelette full of goodies - spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese and bacon. Both dishes came with a side of their breakfast potatoes and they brought a plate of biscuits with a delightful jam. Hands down hope, pray, call ahead - whatever your vibe - that the crab cake Bennie is being served the day you visit because it was da$n delicious. Our server happened to be the bartender and he was a pro managing a bar full of customers and drinks for the restaurant. Also as a side note they have two outdoor seating areas that are heated during the colder season. Everyone should give this restaurant a try - you won’t be disappointed.

Finally got down to trying Penelope’s for brunch.. and it didn’t disappoint! They don’t take rezzies for brekkie / brunch so first come first serve The outside nook is great for people watching.. standout was the pancakes. The blueberry compote wasn’t overpowering or overly sweet Refreshing to find an all day contemporary American cafe with a couple healthier options. The Greener than Green bowl was solid.. came with 2 eggs any style, mixed greens, asparagus, cucumber, French beans, peas, roasted butternut squash, avocado & red quinoa.. filled me up too!

Hmmmmm. An interesting one to review. I love a breakfast diner in Manhattan - plenty to choose from, let's be honest. This place doesn't quite capture the 'diner' vibe, for me. Food was good (ish). I chose smoked salmon on croissant, poached eggs on top. All very delicious. Home fries, however, were not good. Lots of paprika and onions, boiled potatoes, hadn't really seen a hot griddle, or any oil, at least not today, more like a microwave on this morning, and I didn't like those at all, I'm saddened to reveal. I won't go back here, and it's not the food. It's the service. I didn't find it friendly. I didn't feel welcome. Bottomless house blend coffee ought to mean hot fresh coffee coming round for top ups continuously. But the staff are more interested in themselves and what's on their cell phones than doing this. When I asked the server who brought my plate of food for a top up, he acknowledged a yes, went over to the bar, told the waitress, who then came over to me to ask if I wanted more coffee. She hadn't brought any with her. It felt like I had the audacity to suggest it in the first place. Not a relaxing, chilled, welcoming vibe. Easy to fix. But I'm not sure they would get what I mean. They don't seem to understand the New York diner 'vibe'. One more thing. If it says bottomless coffee is $4 on your blackboard, why does it say $4.50 on my check? (Plus tax of course)

I totally love the idea of French onion soup burger. It literally hits my spot. Caramelized onion, cheese and double juicy patties. Who would say no to it!? And the blueberry pancakes are thick like sponge cake. Also, drinks are amazing, especially the vanilla cream one. Service is good. Price is affordable. Definitely will go back again and try something else. ❤️

We stumbled upon this cafe because it was close to our hotel, but the breakfast was so delicious, we went twice during our visit to NY. The food, atmosphere and environment were all 10/10. The best part was that the price of food didn't break the bank unlike other restaurants we went to. Highly recommend!

I last visited this restaurant in 2006, which was my last visit to NYC. Until 2024, that is. I took my family here twice during our week-long visit back to NYC, with my teenage kid in tow (they weren't born yet last time I was here). Guess what? My family loved the food once again. My teen twice ordered a fruit and yogurt bowl. Coffee kept flowing. Partner got different things both days and loved them. We were happy tourists. Amazing this place is still going, but I think that goes to show it's a neighborhood staple the local community still loves.

Now I understand it's a Sunday and it's "Brunch Day" and what not... but I literally had the intention to ask a simple question.. plus I had a stroller with my kid. I tried to get the attention of a few staff. But all I got was the whole "hold on" "hold on" response from 3 folks as I walked inside and stood near the front desk where the host or cashier was at. Then I noticed they were still talking amongst themselves. From my point of view they could at least answered my question...I felt a bit ignored. I was really looking forward into dining here. Maybe I'll give this place another try someday... Maybe not Please support the locals

Very cute brunch place , we did not have reservations and they were very accommodating. The service was great . The blueberry lemonade is a must get, it was refreshing with fresh blueberries inside a must get. The French toast was the perfect balance and a great safe choice. The omelette was ok it needed more flavor , it was pretty bland. The Nutella French toast was delicious and a must get here.

Nice, local place. Not too busy. Good spot for breakfast, lunch & brunch. Stopped by for the blueberry pancakes but my healthy bent took over.

Do not sleep on the veggie burger ... 12 years since I moved out of the neighborhood and it is still my "go to" comfort food. PS: I'm a heavy duty carnivore

Went here for breakfast on a Friday. Service was great but the food was just average. I ordered the Nutella brioche French toast which sounds delicious, however was very disappointing. First the French toast were not brioche, they were basic thin bread slice. And there was no Nutella! It was some chocolate syrup poured on top of the French toast. Description didn't match what we ordered. Also ordered the omelette which was just okay.

Quaint neighborhood brunch spot with great service and an excellent menu selection. Servers and staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. The green breakfast bowl was very fresh and tasty, would highly recommend for a casual breakfast/brunch spot.

- blood orange mimosa was a nice different take it was very pulpy I was lit after two glasses - if you see a special publicized outside, inquire if they are honoring that special we went in for lobster roll/crab/seafood pasta deal, on only to find it was honored after 6pm - lobster roll is not the best in the world not even the best in NY - the ambiance was cute and cozy - they played reggae music which did not match the decor at all - fries are decent (not seasoned with old bay, as advertised) - crab cake was just alright - fast turnover

Note: Today the Yelp waitlist was not honored in the restaurant -- seemed like only walk ins. I enjoyed the nutella french toast and coffee here. We sat inside and tables are packed together for seats of 2. I thought the service could have been better (had to ask for water more than once, the bill, etc.). I'd like to come back to try more of the lunch dishes and hopefully sit outside, too.

04/17/23: Stopped by for a quick lunch. Cute cosy diner type setting. Was looking for a salad, ended up with the gumbo. Not bad, good size portion with shrimp, turkey, sausage. Needed a bit more rice as a result very soupy. Staff friendly but found it a bit difficult to understand wait staff. Did notice outdoor seating. All in all decent meal. Made reservation via Seated received a few dollars back. Download Seated app use code michelle1454.

Visited Penelope on a sunny Saturday afternoon and was seated immediately for brunch outside as a group of two. Really enjoyed the iced mocha to drink as well as the Croque madame and egg sandwich. Portions are pretty large, and we were quite full afterwards. Staff was super kind and I actually left my phone at the table by accident and they had stashed away for me safely when I came back about an hour later to grab it. They don't take reservations and it does seem like a spot that gets busy at certain times of day so just be prepared for that. Overall food was really good at a reasonable price so highly recommend and I will definitely be back!

Respectfully, it was a nice vibe with tables full and the hustle and bustle. But I personally would not come back for brunch. Besides the buttery biscuit with the jam, everything else was very much mediocre. The breakfast plates from the omelette or potatoes were all beyond bland like someone forgot to season it. It was hard to eat because there was no flavor. Their drinks were good - I really enjoyed the espresso martini with caramel. I thought that was delicious as it was also dusted off with some cinnamon on top. The service was good - waiters were on point and we didn't feel rushed when ordering or anything. I wouldn't recommend coming here for brunch unless you're looking for some tasty drinks!

Probably the best brunch spot in the area. Always packed, try to get there before 10am or you'll have to wait. The place is great vibes, excellent service, and the food is all incredible, it makes you want to try the entire menu. Super highly recommend the BLT and the Nutella French toast. They occasionally have specials on the menu that are great as well. Great place for Sunday brunch and just a great overall restaurant experience. Repeat customer, highly recommend.

Penelope is a nice place to go for brunch on weekends. I had the crab cake benedict and bottomless coffee. Both tasted good and were a nice way to start the day. With that being said, the service was extremely slow (we waited 40 minutes from the time we sat down to the time the food came out) and the wait time for a table can be prohibitively long.

Nice service, albeit extremely slow (the time between us being seated to ordering was 15 min, the time that elapsed between us ordering and us getting our food was 40 min). The food itself was very mediocre. Pretty tasteless--I could've cooked better at home. Nonetheless, a cute brunch spot if you're just looking for an eatery to grab food with friends post-night out in the area. Adorable setting, nice ambiance, but don't come here for quality food.

Very nice brunch on a Sunday morning. Sat outside - plenty warm heaters on a grey 50f day. I think they would be fine on a much colder day. Vegetable omelette was huge with lots of vegetables and potatoes that were not greasy. Avocado toast was also substantial and tasty with a good portion of smoked salmon. Good coffee too. Inside is crowded and a bit noisy, but not too bad. Would definitely go back!

Great avocado toast. We sat outside in the heated area for brunch in December and had a great time.

This was not a favorite . We were looking for breakfast brunch option and this seemed on line to check all the boxes but We felt good wasn't special. One note is that you can order the entire cafe menu all day with breakfast till 4. We ordered the French onion soup burger and fries (hand cut) which clearly were frozen and disappointing . This was 2 Burger Pattie's hand tossed and placed with Gruyère and sautéed onions. It looked better than it tasted and burger was pink in center despite asking for well. The restaurant boasts that their blueberry pancakes are a popular item. These were ok to good. A nice potion of pancakes plated with a blueberry compote. One diet soda and a coffee . 51.00 for breakfast. This included gratuity but seems steep for what it was.

Great food and drinks! Unique and diverse menu, there's options for everyone. We loved their spin on cocktails too. Good service and a cute spot to eat at!

*** 3.5 stars *** Very small spot where you can expect to be on top of your neighbors (not unexpected in this area, or city for that matter). They don't take reservations but the wait was only about 10-15 at prime time on a holiday around noon. The portions looked quite large (in particular the pancakes) which might be why this place is so popular. I had the Harvest Bowl which was really just a salad, which was fine, nothing special. The bloody mary was decent - definitely on the spicy side which I enjoyed but could have been a bit thicker. Fine spot, but nothing special.

Was seated outside then promptly forgotten about for an entire 15 minutes! Finally someone showed up with water and took our orders. Food was delivered in a timely manner but it was cold! Server was busy running around so we literally considered holding the omelette up to the heat lamp to warm it up. Drinks were obscenely sweet, almost undrinkable. I don't write bad reviews at all. But this was warranted.

Yikes, this take's 'greasy spoon' to the next level. More like 'dirty spoon' since my silverware was dirty and wrapped in a crumpled napkin! It was a busy weekend brunch but our server could have been a little more inviting. Instead, he seemed very stressed and talked so fast we couldn't understand him. Food portions were plentiful and the chicken meatballs were surprisingly delicious, but to say this is one of the best brunch spots in the city is a stretch. List of far superior places to brunch in the city: The Smith Soho Diner Banter (highly recommend) Buvette Bubby's And the list goes on... We did enjoy the funky weird decor on the walls though*

Fast, friendly and delicious. Need I say more? My friend said her salad was a little dry but also who gets a salad when they have pancakes! The blueberry pancakes were amazing. I was very happy and will definitely be back for those again or maybe I'll try something new, MAYBE!

Grabbed brunch. They were pretty busy but we came at the right time and sat outside. Love that the menu is breakfast and lunch so nice for everyone to get what they want. I got the k-town chicken sandwich is was a little spicy and delicious. The fries were awesome too. Oh and my cappuccino was delicious.

The service was really nice and quick, but I didn't care much for the food. I got an omelette with mushrooms, cheese and tomatoes- had absolutely no salt. The toast wasn't really toasted. The organic lemonade was watered down so it tasted like water with a lemon on it instead. I did enjoy the home fries- but for the price of the meal to only enjoy the side- I wasn't a fan.

Great for brunch, both the entree and drinks were so good. Cute spot with outdoor and indoor dining.

Service not the best. Food came late, server didnt apologize, in fact had more attitude than anyone could possible had. My food came way too late and latte got super cold by then to which he said well kitchen is super busy. Well, you time it better then. Not happy, not going back.

Pretty average brunch spot. Pasta was kind of bland, and the omelette definitely didnt taste like real eggs. However the creme brulee pancakes were a special and they were great! It was slightly crispy on the top and the pancakes were super light too

Have always loved Penelope for years but recently picked up a take out order and it was soooo overpriced. In a small take out container, Roasted cauliflower with a little bit of hazelnuts and tiny bit of quinoa=$18!!! Rethinking my patronage...

I'd describe Penelope as a "hippy diner". I ordered fhe three egg combo and really enjoyed the chicken sausage. The eggs weren't great. My girlfriend got the nutella french toast which was quite good. I had a latte too which was yummy. Service was mediocre. I'd go back!

Great brunch spot! Very cozy - great homestyle options. Got the egg and cheese on croissant which was great along with blueberry pancakes. Not the best pancakes I've had, but they were def good. I also got a green juice to drink. It's a great Lowkey spot with good options, don't think you can go wrong here!

Came here for brunch on a Saturday. It was extremely busy, but was able to get a table for me and my friend promptly. Really enjoyed the scenery it was super casual. Portions were pretty generous. I ordered the French toast and enjoyed it! It was pretty filling.

Very disappointed with what I've even told is an old establishment of NYC! My review is mostly about the food - 1. What was advertised on a big board as 'special' wasn't even there/available when we asked for it! 2. The dish we ordered (also a special, we were told) - crab cakes Benedict with prosciutto - was SO disappointing! The prosciutto was stale, hard, and musty, as was the base bread/muffin - we were shocked at how musty the entire dish smelt. Also, I didn't taste the crab cakes at all! 3. The 'absolute best damn lobster roll' was absolutely the worst lobster roll I've ever tasted - the lobster chunks were cold, hard and rubbery (possibly just defrosted)! 4. The French toast and the OJ were the only decent things we had for brunch All in all, a most sad experience, when in NYC we're spoilt for choice of good food.

Long establishment brunch spot but the recent visit was quite awful! (Heard that they changed ownership) *Croquet Madame - most acceptable dish among what we ordered. But very basic. Fries was the best probably. *Chicken Pot Pie - absolutely a joke (see pic). It's def some kind of canned soup poured into a glass bowl, dumped with a flatbread on top. It was so disgusting. Lukewarm soup. What the hell. I could get frozen one from Trader Joe that it even better than this. GROSS.. *Hangover Bowl - another joke bowl, sliced ham + potato + some pepper dumped together and topped with an egg. What a disrespectful meal. The hostess was very friendly though even though she's new. Our waitress didn't even even care much.

A resounding 5 stars! From the initial greeting to the meal -- 5 enthusiastic stars. The beverages were phenomenal and creative and can I mention how reasonably priced it was -- especially in midtown Manhattan. But -- by far -- the best part was the service -- Franco and others went above and beyond to make me feel at home -- I will be back again and again.

I've been meaning to try this restaurant for a while after reading a great review from Yelper Akshurta K! I decided to treat myself and order delivery from here this morning through DoorDash. The delivery took a little long but overall it wasn't too bad. I ordered the Breakfast sandwich on a croissant. You can pick between a croissant or brioche bun for the bread. It comes with cheese, scrambled eggs and pesto. For an upcharge you can add bacon, which I decided to do. It comes with a side salad. I thought the sandwich was a really good breakfast sandwich! It's pretty simple, but the addition of the pesto makes it unique. I would definitely get it again! It was a good size and filled me up. I also got the cold brew, but unfortunately half of it spilled all over the bag. I'm not sure whether that was a restaurant or door dash issue, so I am not blaming the restaurant. The cold brew was good! It had a nice depth of flavor. I would definitely order from here again and would love to try dining here in person!

Very basic brunch place. The indoor dining area is in need of a significant refresh. The food was nothing to write home about and the options are unimaginative.

Great brunch food. French toast was spot on and not overly sweet. It was filling enough, so I left satisfied. Coffee was great too - well brewed and hot. Lots of seating inside and out.

Had a Sunday Brunch on the outdoor patio (street!) at Penelope's. Everything was made to perfection and the Avocado Toast AF was just that...amazing!!! Highly recommend.

Full disclosure: my return to New York occurred shortly before Penelope opened, and I lived less than a block away. Before it closed, and reopened, it was THE go to restaurant in Murray Hill for breakfast and brunch. I don't know what happened after its reopening, As I like to say, when the mighty fall, they fall hard. That Penelope doesn't take reservations, requires all parties to be present before seating, and has are you kidding?! wait times on the weekend reflects two things: local residents are lazy (because there are a helluva lot of seated restaurants in Kips Bay and Murray Hill today, and I don't mean only diners), and the staff and management are grateful for the location, which encourages laziness. My last meal ever at Penelope happened this morning. My friends and I were told that the special was crab cakes Benedict served on a croissant. The friend who doesn't eat animal protein, other than fish and eggs, ordered the aforementioned diah. So you know, this crab cakes Benedict includes prosciutto. I know. We didn't get it either. When the meals were served, and my friend tried to consume the eggs and crab and hollendaise and pork (because as fancy and thinly sliced as prosciutto may be, it's still pig), and he couldn't, we eventually (because on the busiest day in the breakfast-lunch restaurant world, one (or two) servers is all that were on the floor) hailed our server, who may as well have refused to ask the kitchen to make the dish without ham. We could feel the resentment. Now, I understand that we were seeking additional labor, for which we apologized and expressed appreciation. Had we been told that crab cakes Benedict at Penelope was bringing items from France (croissant) AND Italy (Prosciutto), along with the poached eggs (someone's factory or farm) and purportedly and hopefully Maryland or Cape Cod (flaked crabmeat), another order would have been placed. The resentment continued when the new meal was served, accompanied by the explanation that it took longer because the kitchen staff had to make a new plate. Gosh. You don't say. You mean there wasn't an actual crab cakes Benedict sitting under the heat lamp? Every job is service. And we can all live happier and easier when we acknowledge our responsibilities - be kind, show respect, provide details, take responsibility, care about results, be true with promises made - especially in hectic, super crowded, and inappropriately entitled places like Manhattan (and most of Brooklyn). I tipped with cash, which I am wont to do. And I will not return to Penelope. Ever again.

I love grabbing brunch here. Food is always good, reasonable priced and a large variety of options

Crowded for sure. Squeezed in. However, great food and service. Eclectic vibe. Had an amazing three eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast. Also amazing French toast. I highly recommend this spot.

For the first 60 degree day in NYC, I had to get a Lobster Roll for lunch al fresco and Penelope's was amazing - The lobster was overflowing and was the perfect way to welcome in spring. The service was stellar and this spot is an institution for a reason, it hits all the right notes!

Nicest people working here food tastes, amazing, and not too pricey, the food is true to its name

The food was delicious and the service was great as well. We sat outside and the outdoor heaters helped kept us warm. I definitely recommend.

The food was amazing! However the space is small and the tables are packed together, giving barely any room to move. The service is admirable. I would recommend trying to go at a time that's not busy as they do not take reservations.

This cafe churns out hearty breakfast and lunch options in a cozy location that feels like it was ripped from an idyllic countryside and dropped into the middle of Manhattan. The pancakes are worth every one of the five stars - so fluffy, yet filling in every bite. And they taste amazing on their own, perfectly balancing sweet with a touch of saltiness. You'll also get blueberries and syrup, but I could've inhaled the pancakes on their own! The omelette was fresh, with lots of delicious veggies and great seasoning. But the pancakes are the best move here. Also the drinks are phenomenal - the cocktails were really interesting and unique. Can't recommend this place enough!

Mac & cheese delish burgers good artichoke dip very good a 5 pm meal perfect crowd & noise wise Drinks are weak attentive waitress

Covid dining - We sat indoors but near the door. There was a steady draft and the staff wore masks - I got the lavender rose lemonade which was amazing! It's also in a sizeable glass which I enjoyed. - I got the nutella french toast and it was to die for. The croque madame penelope was also super tasty. Every dish that came out of the kitchen looked great. - Perfect place for brunch and a get-together - They have outdoor seating too

My party added our name to the Yelp waitlist beforehand and waited 30 mins, only for the hostess to say she "didn't have access" to the Yelp list, so we were put on the bottom of the actual list. This restaurant completely wasted our time and we went elsewhere.